Dried cherry pie and “peach leather* were delicacies always

Dried cherry pie and “peach leather* were delicacies always looked forward to when the knitting bee met at Poplar Shade. These gatherings afforded a wonderful opportunity for the showing of the new" linsey-woolsey" suit before it appeared at Mt. Salem Church, (the writer doesn't know much about this war time material which was considered quite beautiful except that it was woven locally, of locally carded and tlyed wool. It was possibly woven by Miss Hannah Updike at her home on Battle Run. Miss Hannah is said to have been an expert-had a number of fine looms. Another Confederate product often shown was the corn shuck hat. The best longshucks were gathered in the early fall and plaited when green. . .The plaits were then hung in a dry dark place. A little before Easter they were fashioned into bonnets and hats of various shapes. Some were dyed with polk berries in shades of red and pink. The hulls of black walnuts were used to make the brown shades. They were most resourceful. . .used what they had and had lots of fun doing it. They worked hard for the Confederate soldiers and for the slaves they owned. . . yet, somehow they kept their hands white and soft! Sheep skin gloves, made at home of course, and Lily Salve always used at night, were great helps. The salve was made of white lily petals, stewed and strained. . .stewed and strained again with mutton suet. If it was capable of doing all that Miss Betsy Ann Stonestreet, who lived in Washington, Va. to a very old age, said it could do, Elizabeth Arden and Helene Rubenstein had best get busy and investigate.

As late as 1910 Miss Betsy